Liberty Walk. Those two words, the name of one of Japan’s most infamous tuners, strike fear into the hearts of purists, as the company has become renowned for forcibly removing original bodywork in favor of adding aggressive fender flares and massive wings, often irreparably altering some of the world’s most expensive cars. But Liberty Walk’s latest creation, shared on Instagram, is less controversial. For a start, it’s based on an FL5 Honda Civic Type R, and secondly, the changes are relatively restrained, if you can look past the slammed fitment courtesy of air suspension.
Liberty Walk Civic Type R Gets Slick Boywork
While most Liberty Walk creations feature bolt-on fender flares with exposed rivets, the tuner’s kit for the Civic Type R widens its track front and rear with subtle bodywork add-ons. The front fenders are replaced with vented items, and both front and rear arches get small extensions that flow with the bodywork—no obtuse caricature of the Civic’s form here. To make it all look cohesive, new side skirts have been fitted, with these adding a vent behind each front wheel and a small winglet ahead of each rear wheel. Speaking of the wheels, the Liberty Walk site lists these as cast SS-5 wheels wrapped in Yokohama rubber, though they look more like forged Desmond Regamaster EVO wheels. Elsewhere, the front bumper has been extended and fitted with a splitter and a pair of canards on each end, with a carbon fiber hood and a black roof adding contrast. Continuing the theme are some carbon fiber mirror caps and, at the rear, a large wing whose design appears to be inspired by that of the outrageously styled FK8-generation Civic Type R. Finally, a new diffuser that retains the CTR’s triple-exit exhaust in the center completes the look.
Liberty Walk CTR Body Kit Is Pricy
As with most Liberty Walk kits, enthusiasts can choose from either the whole new look or just a few pieces. The full kit without the 10mm wider fender extensions and front canards costs $8,470 in regular fiber-reinforced plastic or $13,860 with carbon elements. Opt for the widening pieces and front canards, and the prices jump to $11,000 and $16,860, respectively. If those choices are too costly, the tuner offers individual upgrades. The front splitter costs $990/$1,540, the side skirts cost $1,430/$2,200, the rear diffuser is priced at $1,320/$2,530, and the rear wing costs $1,430/$1,980. The hood will set you back $1,980 for plastic and $3,960 for carbon fiber, and the replacement fenders cost $1,320/$1,650. Fender add-ons cost $1,650 and are not available in carbon; front canards cost $880/$1,320, and the SS-5 cast wheels cost $3,784. The good news is that all these items (FRP or CFRP) add up to the complete costs mentioned above, so Liberty Walk won’t charge you more for ordering in drips and drabs. Of course, those who order the full kit may prefer to know they’re saving some money, but this kit transforms the humble hot hatch into an attention-grabber, and that rarely comes cheap.
